Minneapolis Makes Room For Small Public Parks

If you happened to be driving around Minneapolis today by three specific street-side locations, you might have noticed the absence of a parking space and the addition of a “parklet.” The city unveiled their first three “parklets” today, very small, portable public parks that feature plants, tables and chairs for neighbors to gather.

The spaces are open to the public and are placed in commercial areas where people can feel comfortable spending time getting to know their neighbors. These tiny parks have made appearances in both New York and San Francisco. These spots obviously don’t have life in the winter with the snow — they will be packed up in October and then reassembled in the spring.

The three locations are out front of Juxtaposition Arts and Urban Homeworks at 2007 Emerson Avenue N., 212 Third Avenue N, and 2451 Nicollet Avenue S. in front of Spyhouse Coffee.

While I think this sounds like a fun idea, I am one of those skeptics who questions the necessity of such a project and the price tag that comes along with it — was the planning, implementation and future upkeep of these “parklets” worthy of taxpayer dollars?

About Author

Matthew has been managing Minnesota Connected since 2013. He has taken on a full time career in video production, but still has a passion for the written word. Matthew has a wonderful wife and two adorable sons.

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Minnesota Connected

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